fun run | 2010

Do you look forward to the fun run every year as much as me? Ha. I don't know what it is, but I love this little race the school puts on. Maybe it's because in the past it's been the source of several life lessons. Whatever the reason I so enjoy watching each of them approach the race differently.

Bella






Bella's come to an age where she's saying things like, "I know I'm not good at running". She knows running is not her thing, however, while it may be true right now that doesn't mean she can't be. We go through the conversion that you are only good at what you do everyday and leave it at that because she knows this. I think she says it because she doesn't love to run and has resigned herself to being OK with not finishing in the top ten. "We cannot all come in first, but we can all do are best", I tell her. "Just do your best." I know that sounds cheesy, but our best doesn't guarantee that we will come in on top. It does, however, guarantee that we can be proud of ourselves for our efforts.

Despite all these thoughts of being a runner or not I know she always tries her hardest and no matter what place she comes in, she always enjoys the race. Bella you were amazing today. Love you!

Tess






Tess likes a competition, but she likes a competition when she knows it's something she can do. Ha, sound familiar? I get discouraged that she'll so quickly walk away when she knows she's not good at something. I wish she would have a little bit more of Bella's spirit and enjoy it no matter what...hopefully it will come more with age. Tess is probably the most athletic of the bunch. She enjoys the fun run and for good reason...she's always done well. This year it was more of a challenge, she ended up slowing down for a bit and walking, but then picked it back up at the end and was able to come in 9th. Great Job Tess! Love your guts.

Megan




Megan, she doesn't really think, she just does. She doesn't wait for someone to tell her she can or can't, she just goes for it. The girls got confidence. I love this about her and wish it would rub off on me. She's a good runner, I know this. I watch her race the kids from carpool, all boys, up the hill to school and she's right there with them keeping pace. I was looking forward to her first fun run. She started out strong and when she started to fall behind picked up the pace and was coming in fourth.


Then she got distracted. About 5 feet from the finish line she looked over at her friend and then...




she went down.


I was so sad for her. It had been an exciting race to see her come from the middle of the pack to fourth, however, when she went down she didn't hesitate to get herself up and continue to the end. She definitely had the best attitude.


She showed no signs of being upset. She had a lot of fun and really enjoyed her popsicle at the end. In truth, that was probably her goal from the beginning anyway. Way to go Megan! I hope you will always have this positive attitude.

So there you have it. Another year, another fun run. I can't believe we are down to days left of school. Crazy how time flies.

bound & determined

This morning has been anticipated at our house for the last few weeks. It was the annual school Fun Run that Bella and Tess both love. Remember last year, Bella left off telling me she was going to practice more so she could do better. Well, last night she was out in the backyard doing squats and running up and down the street with Tess to prepare herself. She woke up this morning excited, but anxious for the race.


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When her grade lined up at the starting line she had a big smile on her face...she was ready. She had a nice start, but you forget how far a 1/4 of a mile is to a kid and quickly you could see her energy waning. About 3/4 of the way through she looked like she wanted to stop, but I could see her determination and knew she would keep going. I was very proud of her for pushing through and not giving up. Heaven knows I've been there before.



I haven't asked her yet, but I wonder what was going through her mind as she ran. I'd love to know. She finished about where she did last year, somewhere in the middle, but the difference between this year and last year was her attitude. She wasn't so concerned about getting in the top 10, in fact she said, "Did you see me finish, I did good". Yes she did. Well done Bella. Well done!

Tess has also been preparing herself for the race, but as it turns out she's been doing it for weeks. She told me the other day her and her friend run the track during the first and last recess. She is my competitive girl and really wants to do good, but I was still surprised she was practicing. She even asked me last night if she could go running with me this morning so she'd be ready. So cute.


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She had a great start and if you can see from the picture she was #2 for a while. I was hopeful, but pretty sure she couldn't keep up her speed because she started out going at a sprinters pace. Gradually girls inched up on her as she slowed down and I could tell it's what kept her moving.



She finished in 6th place which she was super excited about. I was so proud of her for wanting it enough to actually take the steps to prepare for it. This girl never ceases to amaze me by what she's capable of. Way to go Tess!

So there you have it...another year, another fun run, another excellent race.

fun run...take two

The school fun run that I went to last week didn't involve the kindergarten children because they were out of school for testing. I figured they wouldn't be participating in it this year because they weren't there, but I found out otherwise when Tess got in the car this afternoon and said, "I got third place, I would have won, but Meg (classmate) beat me at the last part." "What? Huh? There was a fun run?", was my response. I wish she would have let me know she was running.



I was so disappointed I missed it because it sounds like it was a good race and I would have loved to be there to cheer her on. You know I knew she liked to run fast and she's quite the competitor, but I never would've guessed out of all the kids she would have gotten third place. Apparently we have a runner in the family. She did say she wanted to bag dance and play soccer so I suppose I should listen to her.

In other Tess news...



She brought home these cute cards today they made in school. First they used watercolors and watercolor paper to make a design and then had help from parents to cut them up and make them into cards (some are missing for the school art auction). I thought it was such a cool idea and now I think I will have to make some of my own. I love how they turned out.

somewhere in the middle

I remember the fun run Bella participated in 2 years ago where she got almost last place, but instead of being disappointed she had the best time and didn't even realize that almost last place wasn't so good.

Fast forward two years later...



This morning while she said the prayer before leaving for school she prayed she would finish close to first (thought it was interesting she didn't ask for 1st). When she was done I had that talk with her where you say, just do your best and it will be good enough, you know that one? Well, I did my best to boost her confidence and also help her understand that being a participant (it's the ribbon you get when you're not one of the top 10) is not a bad thing. You know I'm not sure she was satisfied...she really wanted something more.

All this talk and her frustrated feelings made me feel a bit nervous about this mornings race. She's not very athletic and I knew she wouldn't place, but hoped she wouldn't be close to last again. I got a little emotional as I watch her line up with the kids ready to give it all she's got praying that no matter the outcome she would have fun like she had the other years.

Tess, Megan, and I ran along side her on the course a few times to cheer her on and give words of encouragement. As she ran to the finish line I could see how tired she was, but also how determined she was to finish close to first.

this photo cracks me up. You can totally see how tired she is trying to hug tess and then her classmate in the bg is looking wasted too.

Well I wish I could report that she got in the top 10, but she didn't, not even close. She put all she had into the race and came out somewhere in the middle (at least she wasn't close to last). Afterward I walked up to her, gave her a big hug, and told her what a great job she did. She said "Well I get a participant ribbon." and I said "You did so good! I'm very proud of you for running the whole time" She said, "Yeah, I did my best." Then gave me a smile. "Maybe next year I should practice, it was hard work."

As I walked away from her she was laughing and playing around with some of her friends, so despite the fact that she didn't place like she wanted to she still had a great time. And really that's all I've ever wanted is for her to enjoy the experience.

The "fun run"

The girls and I went and cheered Bella on at her school "fun run" today. I was not sure what to expect and wound up coming away with something I needed.

When I got there the kids had just started to line up and stretch out. Bella was very excited to do this and kept looking over and waving at us to make sure we knew where she was. I heard the teacher ask "so everyone's running?" Bella pipes up and says, "I'm just going to walk" (Poor girl missed school yesterday do to puking so she wasn't 100%. She had been telling me all morning that she just wanted to walk). They got in position and off they went. Bella started to run with all her peers, but fell quickly behind all the other girls. So there I was watching my little girl come around the corner waving at us with a big smile on her face & in dead last. We cheered her on clapping and screaming her name the entire time. With tears in my eyes I watch her cross the finish line. I had never been so proud of anyone at that moment. She was so thrilled and excited to be apart of it, it didn't even register to her that she was last place.

She taught me something this afternoon. Taught me a valuable lesson I needed to be reminded of today.

We are all beautiful children of God. We all have God given gifts. We all have God given talents. Talents that are all expressed in different ways. Some very publicly and some more subtle. Whatever the case we all have them for a reason and have been asked to use them. I am reminded of Jill's post today about how often we focus on what others have. What other's do. If only we could see inside ourselves and what we have to offer. Oh the things we could do if we got this simple concept. How lucky we are that we're all different individuals...that we can offer something to someone that perhaps they can't give to themself. How lucky we are that we have found this beautiful blog world to celebrate our lives and what makes us unique.

Although I am not very good at the mother thing I am grateful everyday for what my children teach me.